Deputies arrest second suspect in La Quinta carjacking case

A second suspect in a Nov. kidnapping, robbery and carjacking case has been arrested, law enforcement officials confirmed.

Booking photo of Jesus Jonathan Garcia. (Riverside County Sheriff)

Booking photo of Alex Lopez. (Riverside County Sheriff)

The victim gave the suspects a ride at 2:16 a.m. on Tuesday Nov. 27 near Avenue 52 and Jefferson Street in La Quinta.

While driving the two men, one of them pulled out a gun and demanded money from the victim. The suspects forced the man to drive to a remote area in the desert where they released him, Sgt. Mike Tapp stated in a Riverside County Sheriff’s press release.

Officers tracked down one of the suspects, 21-year-old Jesus Jonathan Garcia in the city of Coachella where he was arrested and booked into the Riverside County Jail.

Garcia was charged with robbery and kidnapping.

The second suspect remained at large until Wednesday Dec. 5 when deputies located and arrested him. Alex Lopez, 20, of La Quinta was booked into the Indio Jail on charges of carjacking, kidnapping and robbery, Sgt. Tapp said.

Anyone with additional details regarding this case is urged to contact Investigator Butvidas at 760-863-8990.

Stephanie D. Schulte is a writer/photographer with SWRNN.  She can be reached at stephanie.schulte@swrnn.com.